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2017 Map of Colonias

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Colonias
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

The Pecos River carves a winding path through this portion of Guadalupe County, defining a landscape of dramatic canyons and mesas. Small settlements like Colonias and Casas del Medio sit near the riverbanks, connected by a network of local roads including Garcia Rd and Colonias Rd. The high ground is dominated by prominent landforms such as Mesa del Medio, Mesita Cortada, and Punta de Mesa Colorado, which overlook deep incisions like the Canon de Desaque and Canon de Uta.

Ephemeral water features and catchments are scattered across the plains, including Laguna del Arabe, Laguna del Tul, and Mullins Tank. The map shows a transition from the river valley to the broad southern drainage of the Guadalupe Draw, reflecting the ranching and agricultural patterns of this arid New Mexico region. This survey highlights the traditional land divisions and remote access points that have sustained these rural communities into the twenty-first century.